Grizzly vs ClearVue cyclones

[Ole Anderson]

After reviewing the Grizzly I noticed it's only a 3 hp motor compared to the 5 hp of the CV. And I don't believe the filters are the same as the Wynn filters. The price for the 5 hp Griz was $2400 which is more than the CV unless I'm missing something.

If I recall, the CV design requires just over 3 hp, the next available motor was a 5 hp, so you can't necessarily compare it with other units that may actually require just under 5 hp. The impeller size and design dictates the fan curve which is the real indicator of air moving performance, not horsepower. You could put a 10 hp motor on a CV and the performance would be the same. The issue has always been obtaining a fan curve that is accurate. Each manufacturer tests their cyclones differently, so while not worthless, it becomes difficult to compare cyclones based on the fan curve. However, when the units are tested by an "independent" group such as Wood magazine, then you can draw some conclusions. Even on my 2 hp Oneida, you can find two different curves on their website. Of course performance has two major components, air movement vs suction and dust removal efficiency, the latter of which is largely based on the cyclone design and the filter provided.

http://www.oneida-air.com/PDF/AWW%20...jan%202006.pdf 2006 American Woodworker mag test
http://www.oneida-air.com/PDF/Wood%2...r%20review.pdf 2013 Wood mag test
And for a more than full discussion of the last test, you may have seen this thread: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...-Shop-Cyclones
Sorry, I don't have a URL for the subsequent Wood mag review (pan) of the CV.